Framing costs per linear foot for a basement?

Question:I live in Indianapolis and want to finish out my basement. I'm interested in knowing what the average cost per linear foot is just for 2x4 framing the walls and a bulkhead. btw, it's 9 foot ceilings and about 145 linear feet, in case that matters. Trying to figure out if it's better to frame it myself or hire it out.

Answers:
I am doing this right now also. Since you have a 9' basement pour, you can use 2x4x104" boards which are running about $2.65 a piece. If you plan on placing them 16" on center, you can do some math to answer your own question. For every 8 feet, you need 7 verticle boards and a top and bottom plate. The bottom plate is typically pressure treated, which is running about $3.50 a board. The top plate is 96", and is about 2.30 a piece. (Note, this will result in 2 2x4's doubled up next to each other ever 8 feet. There are ways around that, but that's another post.)

145/8 = ~19 seperate 8 foot sections

19 x (1 @ $2.30) x (7 @ $2.65) x (1 @ $3.50) = $ 462.65 total cost

Or $462.65 / 145 = $3.19 per linear foot.

That is pre-tax, and also doesn't include all your nails/screws/liquid nails/etc. Plus, you will need more wood for any interior walls you might build, plus framing around windows, duct work, etc. It gets pricey. But in the end, it's always better to frame it out yourself, unless your time is more valuable to you.

A better question instead of price per linear foot is the cost per hour. That I can't help you with. Good luck and have fun!! In my opinion, building stuff myself is always a pleasure. It's my away time from my (sometimes nagging) wife. :)

I heard one of my neighbors paid a contractor to frame out their entire basement for 1000 dollars. I have no specifics on the size of it though. Just a FYI tidbit.

ps- i'm not sure what you meant by a bulkhead.